Legal Secretary, Dispute Resolution (General Litigation)

Summary

The legal secretary position at Withers Bergman is responsible for increasing attorney effectiveness by providing administrative support, information and information management and representing the attorney to clients and others.  This role is resident in the New York office and is assigned to the Dispute Resolution division but may support fee earners in other divisions.

Scope of Responsibility

This position will work to support Partners, Associates, and Counsel (subject to change in the future).  The job encounters recurring as well as new and varied work situations of moderate degree of complexity, and includes frequent contact with others inside and outside of the firm including immediate partners, associates, and supervisors, members of other departments or other offices, clients and other professionals.

Primary Functions

• Produces information by transcribing, formatting, inputting, editing, retrieving, copying, and transmitting text, data, and graphics; coordinating case preparation.
• Transmits information to courts and third parties by electronic filing, preparing submission in accordance with governing rules, creating proofs of service, drafting correspondence, completing courtesy copies, and strict adherence to deadlines.
• Conserves attorneys’ time by reading, researching, reviewing, verifying, and routing correspondence, reports and legal documents; drafting letters and documents; collecting and analyzing information; initiating telecommunications; organizing client conferences and attorney meetings; scheduling couriers, and other special functions; coordinating preparation of charts, graphs, and other visuals; preparing expense reports.  Circulates information and documents in a time sensitive manner.
• Maintains attorneys' calendars by planning and scheduling conferences, teleconferences, depositions and travel.
• Provides historical reference by developing and utilizing the filing and retrieval systems.
• Maintains electronic filing system (FileSite/iManage) and hard copies for record keeping when necessary.
• Arranges conference rooms and any needed IT support and systems (e.g. videoconferences).
• Represents attorneys by communicating and obtaining information; following-up on delegated assignments; knowing when to act and when to refer matters to attorney.
• Coordinates billing on a monthly basis including inputting attorney billable and non-billable time, preparing and editing draft bills and final invoices and distribution to clients.  Tracking of paid and outstanding invoices.
• Prepares Chrome River reimbursement and credit card expenditure reports to accounting for assigned fee earners.
• Supports the New Client Intake process which includes the conflicts check, matter details and Engagement Letter preparation.
• Maintains client confidences by keeping client/attorney information confidential.
• Assists with providing coverage to other attorneys as well as Reception when requested by the Office Manager.
• Operates office equipment such as photocopy machine and scanner to produce copies and scanning when needed.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in educational and training opportunities; reading professional publications; maintaining personal networks; participating in professional organizations.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
• Provide Notary and witness services to clients.

Specific Skills Required

1. Must possess strong technical skills, such as typing, and have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint 2003 and 2010 as well as programs such as FileSite/iManage and Elite.
2. Solid command of the English language including excellent spelling, grammar, punctuation, form and style.  Ability to compose correspondence needed.
3. Strong communication skills: the ability to express self effectively, both orally and in writing.
4. Interpersonal skills: the ability to establish effective working relationships with colleagues
5. Knowledge of library operations and records storage procedures for retrieving materials and files.
6. Previous experience in preparing pleadings, briefs, declarations, exhibits and other litigation documents, as well as electronic filing documents with Federal and California courts.
7. Previous experience with document management systems and electronic organizational filing methods preferred.
8. Familiarity with legal terminology pertinent to the areas of assignment.
9. Ability to prioritize and multitask effectively.  Must be proactive in planning of work and fee earner needs.
10. Ability to work both as a team as well as independently.

Experience Required:

• 3+ years as a secretary or administrative professional, preferably in a law firm though experience in other professional service industries (engineering firms, accounting firms, architectural firms, etc.) will be considered.  
• 3+ years of legal industry experience, preferably within a midsized or large law firm’s litigation practice group.  Experience with wealth planning or private client groups is also welcomed.
• Previous experience supporting at least one partner/high level manager in a legal or professional services environment.
• NY Notary highly desired.
• This role is hybrid and must be in the office 3 days week. 

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree strongly preferred.

About Withersworldwide

Withersworldwide has been acting for successful individuals, families and institutions for over 100 years.

We advise clients on the full range of their business, personal and philanthropic legal needs, both at home and abroad. With offices in the key financial centres of Europe, Asia-Pacific, the United States and the Caribbean, we provide coverage and services that other law firms focussed on the needs of the individual cannot.  We have represented 46% of the Top 100 in The Sunday Times Rich List, 25% of the US Top 100 Forbes Rich List, 30% of the Top 20 Hong Kong billionaires in the Forbes World's Billionaires list and over 20% of the Forbes Asia's Richest Families list.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement

The firm is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.  Equal employment opportunity has been and will continue to be a fundamental principle at the firm. Employment at the firm is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, medical condition, genetic information, political activity or affiliation, or any other classification or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. The firm prohibits and will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on the basis of any of these classifications or characteristics.

Furthermore, the firm will not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of a physical or mental disability or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era. The firm will make a reasonable accommodation for employees with a qualifying disability unless providing such accommodation would impose an undue hardship.

The firm is committed to complying with all applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) and state and local disability laws, as applicable. It is the policy of the firm not to discriminate against any qualified employee or applicant with respect to any terms or conditions of employment because of such individual’s disability or perceived disability. Such terms or conditions of employment include application procedures, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training, or other privileges of employment.  The firm will make a reasonable accommodation for employees or applicants with a qualifying disability unless providing such accommodation would impose undue hardship.

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